Printing system for installation in a vehicle

ABSTRACT

Provided is a printing system for installation in a vehicle for providing hard-copies from a digital camera. The printing system includes a wireless communications subsystem for receiving wireless image information from a camera, and a layout engine with rasterization and page compression modules linked to a printer controller. The printer controller controls a printer having a chassis with a top cover defining an access opening for receiving a cartridge, said opening closed off by a spring-biased flap, and a printhead housed in the chassis. The printer also includes a printed circuit board (PCB) mounted in the chassis with control circuitry linking the controller to the printer controller to control the printhead.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a Continuation application of U.S. Ser. No.10/503,918 filed Feb. 12, 2003, which is a 371 of PCT/AU03/00149 filedon Feb. 12, 2003 all of which are herein incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an image printing system. The inventionrelates particularly, but not necessarily exclusively, to an imageprinting system and to a method of printing images for use in or on aconveyance.

In this specification, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise,the term “conveyance” is to be understood in a broad sense as anysuitable device for conveying persons and/or goods and includes roadvehicles, aircraft, rail vehicles, waterborne craft, spacecraft, or thelike.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Persons on trips such as holidays generally take a number of photographsat various locations in order to create a collection of images which maylater be used to assist in recalling experiences or events ofsignificance that occurred during the holiday. Also, there are timeswhen, for business or other purposes, it is required to record an image.For example, at the scene of an accident, it may be necessary to takephotographs of damaged vehicles and surrounding areas in order toconduct an investigation as to the cause of the accident.

Typically, photographs are taken using one of a known number ofphotographic techniques such as exposure of a photographic film or, asis becoming increasingly popular, by digital capture of an image. Eachfilm or memory storage device that is used to store photographs has alimited capacity. Thus, in the case of photographic film the number ofimages which can be recorded depends on the length of the film. In thecase of storing digital images, the resolution of the images and thememory capacity are determinative of the number of images which can bestored. Once the capacity of the storage means has been reached, thestorage means must be replaced in order to capture further images.

Further, in order to produce hard copies of the recorded images it isnecessary to either take the storage means (or the camera itself if thestorage means is not removable) to an imaging bureau for production ofhard copies or to print off a copy of each photograph using a PC and aprinter. Both of these approaches tend to be somewhat inconvenient asresult of, firstly, the time taken to produce the hard copy images and,secondly, the different location that the storage device must betransported to in order to produce hard-copies. A third inconvenience ishaving to make necessary film and/or storage medium changes once thecapacity of the storage means has been reached. This is particularly soin the case of digital cameras where memory storage devices can beexpensive.

CO-PENDING APPLICATIONS

Various methods, systems and apparatus relating to the present inventionare disclosed in the following co-pending applications filed by theapplicant or assignee of the present invention simultaneouslyapplication no. PCT/AU03/00149:

PCT/AU03/00154 PCT/AU03/00151 PCT/AU03/00150 PCT/AU03/00145PCT/AU03/00153 PCT/AU03/00152 PCT/AU03/00168 PCT/AU03/00169PCT/AU03/00170 PCT/AU03/00162 PCT/AU03/00146 PCT/AU03/00159PCT/AU03/00171 PCT/AU03/00149 PCT/AU03/00167 PCT/AU03/00158PCT/AU03/00147 PCT/AU03/00166 PCT/AU03/00164 PCT/AU03/00163PCT/AU03/00165 PCT/AU03/00160 PCT/AU03/00157 PCT/AU03/00148PCT/AU03/00156 PCT/AU03/00155The disclosures of these co-pending applications are incorporated hereinby cross-reference.

RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS AND PATENTS

6,566,858 6,331,946 6,246,970 6,442,525 PCT/AU01/00141 09/505,951PCT/AU01/00139 6,816,968 6,757,832 PCT/AU01/00140 PCT/AU00/007416,238,044 PCT/AU00/00742 6,425,661 6,227,652 6,213,588 6,213,5896,231,163 6,247,795 6,394,581 6,244,691 6,257,704 6,416,168 6,220,6946,257,705 6,247,794 6,234,610 6,247,793 6,264,306 6,241,342 6,247,7926,264,307 6,254,220 6,234,611 6,302,528 6,283,582 6,239,821 6,338,5476,247,796 6,557,977 6,390,603 6,362,843 6,293,653 6,312,107 6,227,6536,234,609 6,238,040 6,188,415 6,227,654 6,209,989 6,247,791 6,336,7106,217,153 6,416,167 6,243,113 6,283,581 6,247,790 6,260,953 6,267,4696,273,544 6,309,048 6,420,196 6,443,558 6,439,689 6,378,989 6,848,1816,634,735 PCT/AU98/00550 PCT/AU00/00095 6,390,605 6,322,195 6,612,1106,480,089 6,460,778 6,305,788 PCT/AU00/00172 6,426,014 PCT/AU00/003386,364,453 PCT/AU00/00339 6,457,795 PCT/AU00/00581 6,315,399PCT/AU00/00580 6,338,548 PCT/AU00/00582 6,540,319 PCT/AU00/005876,328,431 PCT/AU00/00588 6,328,425 PCT/AU00/00589 6,991,320PCT/AU00/00341 6,595,624 PCT/AU00/00340 PCT/AU00/00749 6417757PCT/AU01/01332 7,095,309 PCT/AU01/01318 6,854,825 PCT/AU00/007507,075,677 PCT/AU00/00751 6,428,139 PCT/AU00/00752 6,575,549PCT/AU01/00502 PCT/AU00/00583 6,383,833 PCT/AU02/01120 PCT/AU00/005936,464,332 PCT/AU00/00333 PCT/AU00/01513 6,428,142 PCT/AU00/005906,390,591 PCT/AU00/00591 7,018,016 PCT/AU00/00592 6,328,417PCT/AU00/00584 6,322,194 PCT/AU00/00585 6,382,779 PCT/AU00/005866,629,745 PCT/AU00/01514 6,565,193 PCT/AU00/01515 6,609,786PCT/AU00/01516 6,609,787 PCT/AU00/01517 6,439,908 PCT/AU00/015126,684,503 PCT/AU00/00753 6,755,513 PCT/AU00/00594 6,409,323PCT/AU00/00595 6,281,912 PCT/AU00/00596 6,604,810 PCT/AU00/005976,318,920 PCT/AU00/00598 6,488,422 PCT/AU01/01321 6,655,786PCT/AU01/01322 6,457,810 PCT/AU01/01323 6,485,135 PCT/AU00/005166,795,215 PCT/AU00/00517 7,154,638 PCT/AU00/00511 6,859,289PCT/AU00/00754 6,977,751 PCT/AU00/00755 6,398,332 PCT/AU00/007566,394,573 PCT/AU00/00757 6,622,923

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to first aspect of the invention, there is provided an imageprinting system which includes:

a portable data capturing device for capturing data relating to an imagewhich it is desired to print;

a processing means, in communication with said data capturing device,for processing output data which is output from said data capturingdevice to provide formatted data suitable for printing; and

an onboard printing unit, associated with said processing means, forprinting said formatted data to provide said image.

In this specification, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise,the term “onboard” is to be understood in a broad sense as a device andits components which are mounted in a conveyance.

The data capturing device may be a camera and is, preferably, a digitalcamera.

The system may include a receiving means which communicates with thecamera to enable data relating to an image captured by the camera andstored in the camera to be received and downloaded to the processingmeans.

The system may include a communications sub-system mounted in theconveyance for enabling data stored in the data capturing device to betransmitted to a remote location.

The processing means may include a layout engine in communication withthe detecting means. The layout engine may lay out data elements to becommunicated to the printer so that, when printed on a suitable printmedia, the data are presented as a visually discernible image.

The processing means may further comprise a data manipulating means incommunication with the layout engine for manipulating the data toprovide the formatted data.

The printing unit may include a printer controller, for receiving theformatted data to be printed, and a printer. The printer may be a fullcolor printer. Preferably, the printer is a photo quality color printer.

Still further, the printer may be an ink jet printer. The printer maycomprise a pagewidth ink jet printhead. Thus, the printhead may comprisean array of nozzles, said array being fabricated bymicroelectromechanical techniques.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided amethod of printing images, the method including the steps of:

capturing data, via a data capturing means, relating to an image whichit is desired to print;

processing output data, which is output from said data capturing means,to provide formatted data suitable for printing; and

printing, on an onboard printing unit associated with said processingmeans, said formatted data to provide said image.

The method may include capturing the data by means of a camera which is,preferably, a digital camera.

The method may include causing the camera to communicate with areceiving means in the conveyance to enable data relating to an imagecaptured by the camera and stored in the camera to be received anddownloaded.

Further, the method may include causing data stored in the datacapturing device to be transmitted to a remote location.

In addition, the method may include performing a layout operation ondata elements to be communicated to the printer so that, when printed ona suitable print media, the data are presented as a visually discernibleimage.

The method may also include manipulating said data prior to printing thedata to provide said formatted data.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided anonboard image printing system which includes

a camera for capturing data relating to an image which it is desired toprint;

a processing means, in communication with said camera, for processingoutput data which is output from said camera to provide formatted datasuitable for printing; and

an onboard printing unit, associated with said processing means, forprinting said formatted data to provide said image.

The system may include a receiving means which communicates with thecamera to facilitate downloading of the data from the camera to theprocessing means.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided amethod of printing images onboard a vehicle, the method including thesteps of:

capturing data, via a camera, relating to an image which it is desiredto print;

processing output data, which is output from said camera, to provideformatted data suitable for printing; and

printing, on an onboard printing unit associated with said processingmeans, said formatted data to provide said image.

The method may include causing the camera to communicate with areceiving means in the vehicle to facilitate downloading of datarelating to an image captured by the camera to a processing means.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided anonboard image printing system which includes

a digital camera for capturing data relating to an image which it isdesired to print;

a processing means, in communication with said camera, for processingoutput data which is output from said camera to provide formatted datasuitable for printing;

a receiving means which communicates with the camera to facilitatedownloading of the data from the camera to the processing means;

an onboard communications sub-system for enabling data stored in thecamera to be transmitted to a remote location; and

an onboard printing unit, associated with said processing means, forprinting said formatted data to provide said image.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention, there is provided a methodof printing images onboard a vehicle, the method including the steps of:

capturing data, via a digital camera, relating to an image which it isdesired to print;

processing output data, which is output from said camera, to provideformatted data suitable for printing;

causing the camera to communicate with a receiving means in the vehicleto facilitate downloading of data relating to an image captured by thecamera;

causing data stored in the camera to be transmitted to a remotelocation; and

printing, on an onboard printing unit associated with said processingmeans, said formatted data to provide said image.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is now described by way of example with reference to theaccompanying diagrammatic drawings in which:—

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an image printing system, in accordancewith the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a three dimensional view of a printer for use with thesystem;

FIG. 3 shows a three dimensional view of the printer with a coverremoved;

FIG. 4 shows a three dimensional, exploded view of the printer;

FIG. 5 shows a sectional side view of the printer;

FIG. 6 shows a three dimensional view of a cartridge for the printer;

FIG. 7 shows a three dimensional, exploded view of the cartridge;

FIG. 8 shows a three dimensional, schematic view of a nozzle assemblyfor an ink jet printhead for the printer;

FIGS. 9 to 11 show a three dimensional, schematic illustration of anoperation of the nozzle assembly of FIG. 8;

FIG. 12 shows a three dimensional view of a nozzle array constitutingthe printhead;

FIG. 13 shows, on an enlarged scale, part of the array of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 shows a three dimensional view of the printhead including anozzle guard;

FIG. 15 shows a schematic block diagram of a wireless communicationssub-system forming part of the image printing system of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 16 shows a three dimensional view of an implementation of theinformation retrieval system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring initially to FIG. 1 of the drawings, an image printing system,in accordance with the invention is illustrated and is designatedgenerally by the reference numeral 10. The system 10 is intendedparticularly for providing hard-copies from digital cameras and isintended to be installed in a motor vehicle (not shown).

Accordingly, the system 10 includes a digital camera 12. The digitalcamera 12 is received in a suitable receptacle such as a slot 510 (FIG.16) in an in car entertainment unit 500. Instead, the camera 12 can bereceived in a dedicated slot in a dashboard or other convenient fittingof the motor vehicle to communicate with the remaining parts of thesystem 10.

The system 10 further includes a processing means 14 which is able to beplaced in communication with the camera 12 when the camera 12 is in itsslot. It will be appreciated that the camera 12 has contacts thereonwhich, when the camera 12 is driven home in its slot, engage contacts ina base of the slot. The contacts in the base of the slot are, in turn,electrically connected to the processing means 14 to enablecommunication to be established between the camera 12 and the processingmeans 14.

The processing means includes a layout engine 28 which communicates witha rasterization module 34 via a data line 32. The rasterization module,in turn, communicates with a page compression module 38 of theprocessing means 14 via a data line 36.

The system 10 includes a printing unit 16 having a printer controller 42in communication with the page compression module 38 of the processingmeans 14 via a data line 40. The printer controller 42 controlsoperation of a printer 100 of the printing unit 16.

In addition, the system 10 includes a wireless communications sub-system50. The wireless communications sub-system 50 enables images captured bythe camera 12 to be transmitted to a remote location, in addition tobeing printed on a printer 100 of the printing unit 16.

Certain of the components of the system 10 are now described in greaterdetail.

Referring to FIG. 15 of the drawings, various forms of wirelesscommunications sub-system 50 could be employed. One technique is to usea combination of satellite communications and a mobile telephonenetwork.

The sub-system 50 includes a mobile station 52 (being the motor vehiclein this invention) and a fixed station 54. A satellite is designatedgenerally by the reference numeral 56. The satellite 56 communicationswith the mobile station 52 via a satellite receiver 58. The satellite 56also communications with the base station 54 via a satellite up link 60.

In addition, the mobile station 52 includes a mobile phone network basedtransmitter 64 which communicates with a mobile phone network basedreceiver 66 at the bay station 54.

To enable data to be transmitted from the mobile station 52 to the basestation 54, satellite transmission via the satellite 56 is employed aswell as the mobile telephone network using the transmitter 64 and thereceiver 66.

The layout engine 28 may be required to manipulate data sourced from aplurality of sources. This data may have no embedded layout information.Depending on the kind of content supplied, it may be necessary tofirstly create a formatted description of the content which can then beused to generate one or more pages of page description language.

The page description language to be generated by the layout engine 28determines the kinds of data elements, and the structuring of elementsthat may be used to compose a page. For example, if the page descriptionlanguage used is postscript, then the elements that are used to describethe page include filled and stroked paths consisting of line segmentsand curves, text with corresponding font definitions, and images.

A template for laying out data may be dynamically generated by thelayout engine 28 based on user choices, may be a static built-intemplate, or may even be obtained from some other source such as thesource supplying the data.

A number of possibilities exist for layout and content descriptions thatcan be used to generate a set of consistent layouts for a pagecontaining a number of elements which may be both textual and graphical.

One example of a method of data layout that allows data to be sourcedfrom a plurality of separate locations is through using a combination ofXML (eXtensible Markup Language) and XSL (eXtensible StylesheetLanguage).

XML allows content to be marked up by applying a set of tags to thecontent. The definition of each tag in particular XML content isdescribed in a separate scheme referenced by the XML.

XSL provides a method of transforming XML into another format (forexample HTML) whilst simultaneously performing selection and filteringoperations.

The combination of XML content and XSL as a layout specification allowsfor descriptions of one or more pages to be produced in a formattinglanguage. The formatting language may then be translated into a pagedescription language suitable for printing (ie, one that providesdescriptions of objects, their locations and compositing details).

Another possible layout and content description which can be used is adocument which is specified in HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) whichis supplied to the layout engine 28 for the purposes of creating a pagedescription. One or more stylesheets specified according to CSS(Cascading Style Sheet) standard may also be supplied, allowing thelayout engine 28 to associate a supplied style with a set of tags. If nostyle sheet is supplied a set of default styles internal to the layoutengine 28 is adopted.

The HTML document is then translated into a page description languagesuitable for printing.

The rasterization module 34 is provided to convert from page descriptionlanguage into a format that can be sent to the print engine (not shown)of the printer 100. This format may take a number of forms depending onthe characteristics of the print engine such as the color gamut of theoutput device, the types of markers to be used, the number of markersbeing used (and their respective colors) and the medium being marked.

The page description received by the rasterization module 34 may alsotake a number of forms. Many page description languages are programoriented in that a page is described in a pragmatically generatedmanner. Other page description languages describe pages in terms of aset of objects placed on a page by way of a painter's algorithms. Stillother page description languages describe a page in terms of acompositing model that defines a hierarchy of objects located on a page,each with a defined compositing order relative to a neighborhood ofother objects.

A number of ways exist in which rasterization of a page, a set of pages,a sub-set of objects on a page or a sub set of objects on a number ofpages may be processed by the rasterization module 34.

One method of rasterization involves a divide-and-conquer approach inwhich the page description language is initially interpreted to form amodel of the page. The page is scanned and objects are rasterized asthey are encountered and then composited to form pixmap output for aportion of the page. The pixmap is then mapped into the color space ofthe output device or dithered (or error defused) to match thecharacteristics required by the output device.

Another method of rasterization which may be employed by therasterization module 34 is to render each object in full or partiallyaccording to the type of object the coverage of the object with respectto the page (and the portion of the page currently being rendered) andcaching aspects of the object. For instance, if a character string is tobe rasterized, each character in the string may be rasterized in fulland then cached for later reuse whereas a filled rectangle may only berasterized as necessary.

Depending on the output requirements for the rasterization module 34,each page to be rasterized may be generated in its entirety or generatedin a band wise fashion for forwarding to the page compression module 38.In this way, if a page is larger than a certain size, and memory needsto be conserved, a page may be divided into a number of bands that maybe rasterized on demand.

The page compression module 38 is provided to reduce the amount ofrasterized page data that needs to be transferred to the printercontroller 42. The page data is compressed using one or more of a numberof techniques that do not result in a visible degradation in the qualityof the final printed image.

A method of compressing contone data is JPEG compression. With thiscompression technique, contone pixels are converted into aluminance/chrominance representation which may then efficiently becompressed by using quantization of a discrete cosine transformation ofthe data. This quantized version of the data is entropy coded to reducelarge runs of zero valued elements resulting in an overall 10:1reduction in data size with virtually no resulting significant loss ofimage quality.

The wavelet transform, as adopted by the JPEG 2000 standard, is a methodused to compress contone data. Two different wavelet transforms arespecified by JPEG 2000, namely, a 9/7 wavelet transform for lossycompression and a 5/3 3 wavelet transform for lossless compression.Given that the results of compression using the 9/7 wavelet transformare visually superior to the results of compression using the discretecosine transform, it is reasonable to expect that a compression ratio ofat least 50:1 can be achieved without significant degradation of thereconstructed image.

The scan order adopted by JPEG 2000 is a spiral scan of the originalimage, traversed one pixel at a time. This is not convenient forprinting applications since it would require that the complete page bedecoded and stored or that the page be decoded multiple times forprinting to be carried out. To remedy this, it may be possible to adoptan alternative scan order that traverses each image row in sequence suchthat each portion of the image received can be immediately decoded andprinted independently of the receipt of the complete compressed page.

Compression of bilevel images may be performed by using the commonlyknown Group 3 or Group 4 fax algorithms. These algorithms exploit thetwo dimensional properties of typical bilevel images to achieve anaverage 30:1 compression.

The JBIG (Joint Bilevel Image Group) has defined a method for thecompression of bilevel images called JBIG2 that is able to yield highercompression ratios than the older Group 3 and Group 4 fax algorithmswith a more complex encoder/decoder combination. Essentially JBIG2relies on the encoder to successfully segment an input image into anumber of regions that are compressed with techniques specialisedaccording to the properties of the region being encoded. Regions thatcontain text elements are encoded using an algorithm that stores encodedversions of bitmaps corresponding to each character. Regions thatcontain half toned images (particularly for the case when ordered halftoning has been used) are encoded by storing a dictionary of half tonedpatterns and the regions to which they apply. Regions that contain otherelements such as line art are encoded into a compressed bitmaprepresentation.

In certain instances, page compression may not be required. In thatcase, the page compression module 38 functions using null compressionwherein the page is not compressed at all and the page compressionmodule 38 functions as a pass through module.

The printer controller 42 is responsible for handling the hardwarespecific aspects of the printing process. This enables a number ofdifferent types of printing mechanisms or printers 100 to be adoptedwithout changing details of the system further up the chain of printmodules.

The printer controller 42 receives a rasterized version of each pagewhich is usually compressed using one of the compression techniquesdescribed above. The page may be received in its entirety or in abandwise fashion depending on the size of the page and the functioningof the preceding modules 34 and 38.

In the printer controller 42, the page data are progressively accessedin printer order, decompressed if required and organised into a formatsuitable for hardware of the printer 100 to enable the hardware of theprinter 100 to program its printhead 300. This recognition may includesuch factors as may be necessary to account for special characteristicsof a particular printhead 300 such as up scaling and dithering of theprint data and adjustments, if necessary, for the markers and paperbeing used.

Referring to FIGS. 2 to 7 of the drawings, the printer 100 is describedin greater detail.

The printer 100 includes a chassis 112 (FIG. 3) which is covered by atop cover 116. The printer 100 has an access opening 118 in the topcover. The access opening 118 is closed off by a flap 120. The flap 120is spring biased so that, when a cartridge 122 has been removed from theprinter 100, the flap is urged upwards to close off the access opening118.

The device which sends commands to the printer 100 can either be hardwired to the printer 100, for example, via a wiring loom of the motorvehicle or, instead, the device may send commands to the printer 100 ina wireless manner. For this purpose, the printer 100 includes a port 124able to detect wireless communications, such as infra-redcommunications.

The printer 100 incorporates a printhead 300 (FIG. 3). The printhead 300is a pagewidth ink jet printhead. More particularly, the printhead 300is a four color printhead, or three color plus infra red ink, printheadwhich prints photo quality prints on print media stored in the cartridge122. The printhead 300 comprises an array of nozzles to provide printingat 1600 dpi. The nozzles of the printhead 300 are manufactured using theapplicant's Memjet technology. The printhead is described in greaterdetail below.

The printhead 300 receives commands from a printed circuit board (PCB)136 secured to the chassis 112.

A pair of drive motors 138 and 140 are mounted on a sidewall 142 of thechassis 112. The drive motor 138, which is in the form of a steppermotor, drives a first drive arrangement in the form of a first geartrain 144. The first gear train 144 is mounted on a side molding 146 ofthe chassis 112.

The drive motor 140, which is also in the form of a stepper motor,drives a drive roller 148 via a second drive arrangement in the form ofa second gear train 150.

The printhead 300 receives ink from ink hoses 152 which communicate withan ink supply reservoir 154 (FIG. 7) of the cartridge 122 via an inksupply manifold 156, as will be described in greater detail below.

Referring to FIG. 4 of the drawings, an exploded view of the printer 100is illustrated. It is to be noted that the printhead 300 communicateswith the PCB 136 via a TAB film 154.

A slot 158 is defined in the side molding 146. The slot 158 receives acorresponding formation of the cartridge 122 in it. Further, a rollerset 160 is mounted on a base 162 of the printer 100. The roller set 160comprises a rotatable axle 162. A cog 164 is mounted proximate each endof the axle 162. Each cog 164 engages a longitudinally extending rack200, 202, one on each side of the cartridge 122, for inhibiting skewingof the cartridge 122 as it is inserted into, or withdrawn from, theprinter 100.

The first gear train 144 engages a pick up roller 168 of the printer100. The pick up roller 168 picks up print media in the form of a sheetof paper from a stack 170 of paper (FIG. 5) in the cartridge 122 forfeeding to the printhead 300 of the printer 100 when printing is to beeffected.

As shown in greater detail in FIG. 4 of the drawings, the first geartrain 144 is powered by the stepper motor 138 via an axle 172 extendingacross the printer 100 to convey power from the stepper motor 138 to thefirst gear train 144. A gear 174 is mounted against the molding 146 atone end of the axle 172. The gear 174 drives a reduction gear set 176.Further, the reduction gear set 176 communicates with a reversingmechanism 178. Accordingly, the gear train 144 performs two functions.When the reversing mechanism 178 is not selected, the gear train 144engages an upper rack 180 on the cartridge 122 for feeding the cartridge122 into the printer 100 or ejecting the cartridge 122 from the printer100. Instead, when the reversing mechanism has been selected, it engagesthe pick up roller 168 or, more particularly, a gear 182 mounted at anend of the pick up roller 168. The gear train 144 then serves to feedthe paper to the drive roller 148 for conveying to the printhead 300.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7 of the drawings, the cartridge 122 isdescribed in greater detail.

The cartridge 122 comprises a base molding 190. The base molding 190 isclosed off by a metal cover 192. The cover 192 has a pair oftransversely spaced openings 194 defined in a front edge thereof. Theseopenings 194 permit the pick up roller 168 of the printer 100 to engagea topmost sheet of the stack 170 of paper within the cartridge 122.

A toothed rack 196 is provided on one side of the cartridge 122. Thetoothed rack 196 defines the upper rack 180 which is engaged by a gearof the first gear train 144 for insertion of the cartridge 122 into, orits ejection from, the printer 100. A rib 198 extends longitudinallyalong the side of the toothed rack 196. The rib 198 is received in theslot 158 in the side molding 146 of the printer 100. A lower surface ofthe toothed rack 196 also has one of the longitudinally extending racks200 (FIG. 7) for engagement with one of the cogs 164. An opposed side ofthe base molding 190 of the cartridge 122 carries the other of thelongitudinally extending racks 202 which engages the other cog 164 forinhibiting skewing of the cartridge 122 when it is inserted into, orejected from, the printer 100.

A feed slot 204 is defined at a front edge of the metal cover throughwhich a sheet of paper to be printed is passed in use. The feed slot 204is partially defined by a plastics strip 206 which inhibits more thanone sheet of paper being fed to the printhead 300 at any one time.

A transversely extending trough 208 is defined outwardly of the strip206. The trough 208 accommodates a sprung roller 210 therein. The roller210 is supported in the trough 208 via a plurality of clips 212.

The roller 210 is biased upwardly relative to a base of the trough 208via a plurality of leaf springs 214. The leaf springs 214 are formedintegrally with an L-shaped metal bracket 216 which partially forms thetrough 208. The roller 210 is a snap-fit in the clips 212.

A platen 218 is accommodated in the base molding 190. The platen 218 isspring biased via a plurality of leaf springs 220 which engage a floor222 of the base molding 190 for urging the stack 170 of paper againstthe cover 192.

The ink supply reservoir 154 includes an ink supply molding 224 formedintegrally with the base molding 190. The ink supply molding 224 definesa plurality of ink supply channels 226. Each ink supply channel 226contains a particular color of ink. In this context, the term “color” isto be understood as including inks which are invisible in the visiblespectrum such as, for example, infra red inks.

The channels 226 are closed off by a flexible bladder-like membrane 228which is heat-sealed to the molding 224. It will be appreciated that, asink is withdrawn from each channel 226, the associated membrane 228collapses into the channel 226 thereby inhibiting the ingress of airinto that channel 226.

Each channel 226 communicates with an ink outlet 230. Each ink outlet230 is in the form of a rupturable seal.

As shown in greater detail in FIG. 4 of the drawings, the ink supplymanifold 156 of the printer 100 includes pins 232. These pins 232communicate with the ink supply hoses 152. When the cartridge 122 isinserted into the printer 100, and the cartridge 122 is driven home bythe gear train 144, the pins 232 pierce the seals 230 to place the hoses152 in communication with their associated ink supply channels 226.

The cartridge 122 includes a quality assurance chip 234. This chip 234ensures correct communications between the cartridge 122 and the printer100 and that the cartridge 122 is of the required quality. The chip 234communicates with the printer 100 via chip contacts 236 mounted on theink supply manifold 156 of the printer 100. Thus, when the cartridge 122is driven home by the gear train 144, the chip 234 engages the contacts236 for enabling communications to be established between the chip 234and the circuit board 136 of the printer 100.

The cartridge 122 is a disposable unit so that, once its ink supply andpaper supply have been depleted, the cartridge is disposed of. Instead,the cartridge 122 may be re-useable. In the latter case, once the supplyof ink and paper in the cartridge 122 have been depleted and thecartridge 122 is ejected from the printer 100, the used, empty cartridge122 can be taken by a user to a supplier for a refund. It is to be notedthat the cartridge 122 is automatically ejected from the printer 100once its supply of paper and/or ink has been depleted.

Referring to FIGS. 8 to 14 of the drawings, the printhead 300 isdescribed in greater detail. The printhead 300 comprises an array, whichwill be described in greater detail below, of nozzle assemblies.Referring initially to FIG. 8 of the drawings, a nozzle assembly isillustrated and is designated generally by the reference numeral 400

The assembly 400 includes a silicon substrate or wafer 416 on which adielectric layer 418 is deposited. A CMOS passivation layer 420 isdeposited on the dielectric layer 418.

Each nozzle assembly 400 includes a nozzle 422 defining a nozzle opening424, a connecting member in the form of a lever arm 426 and an actuator428. The lever arm 426 connects the actuator 428 to the nozzle 422.

As shown in greater detail in FIGS. 9 to 11 of the drawings, the nozzle422 comprises a crown portion 430 with a skirt portion 432 dependingfrom the crown portion 430. The skirt portion 432 forms part of aperipheral wall of a nozzle chamber 434. The nozzle opening 424 is influid communication with the nozzle chamber 434. It is to be noted thatthe nozzle opening 424 is surrounded by a raised rim 436 which “pins” ameniscus 438 (FIG. 9) of a body of ink 440 in the nozzle chamber 434.

An ink inlet aperture 442 (shown most clearly in FIG. 13 of thedrawings) is defined in a floor 446 of the nozzle chamber 434. Theaperture 442 is in fluid communication with an ink inlet channel 448defined through the substrate 416.

A wall portion 450 bounds the aperture 442 and extends upwardly from thefloor portion 446. The skirt portion 432, as indicated above, of thenozzle 422 defines a first part of a peripheral wall of the nozzlechamber 434 and the wall portion 450 defines a second part of theperipheral wall of the nozzle chamber 434.

The wall 450 has an inwardly directed lip 452 at its free end whichserves as a fluidic seal which inhibits the escape of ink when thenozzle 422 is displaced, as will be described in greater detail below.It will be appreciated that, due to the viscosity of the ink 440 and thesmall dimensions of the spacing between the lip 452 and the skirtportion 432, the inwardly directed lip 452 and surface tension functionas a seal for inhibiting the escape of ink from the nozzle chamber 434.

The actuator 428 is a thermal bend actuator and is connected to ananchor 454 extending upwardly from the substrate 416 or, moreparticularly, from the CMOS passivation layer 420. The anchor 454 ismounted on conductive pads 456 which form an electrical connection withthe actuator 428.

The actuator 428 comprises a pair of first, active beams 458 arrangedabove a pair of second, passive beams 460. In a preferred embodiment,both pairs of beams 458 and 460 are of, or include, a conductive ceramicmaterial such as titanium nitride (TiN).

Both pairs of beams 458 and 460 have their first ends anchored to theanchor 454 and their opposed ends connected to the arm 426. When acurrent is caused to flow through the active beams 458 thermal expansionof the beams 458 result. As the passive beams 460, through which thereis no current flow, do not expand at the same rate, a bending moment iscreated causing the arm 426 and, hence, the nozzle 422 to be displaceddownwardly towards the substrate 416 as shown in FIG. 10 of thedrawings. This causes ejection of ink through the nozzle opening 424 asshown at 462 in FIG. 10 of the drawings. When the source of heat isremoved from the active beams 458, i.e. by stopping current flow, thenozzle 422 returns to its quiescent position as shown in FIG. 11 of thedrawings. When the nozzle 422 returns to its quiescent position, an inkdroplet 464 is formed as a result of the breaking of an ink droplet neckas illustrated at 466 in FIG. 11 of the drawings. The ink droplet 464then travels on to the print media such as a sheet of paper. As a resultof the formation of the ink droplet 464, a “negative” meniscus is formedas shown at 468 in FIG. 11 of the drawings. This “negative” meniscus 468results in an inflow of ink 440 into the nozzle chamber 434 such that anew meniscus 438 is formed in readiness for the next ink drop ejectionfrom the nozzle assembly 400.

Referring now to FIGS. 12 to 14 of the drawings, a part of the printhead300 is described in greater detail. The printhead 300 is a four colorprinthead. Accordingly, the printhead 300 includes four groups 370 ofnozzle assemblies, one for each color. Each group 370 has its nozzleassemblies 400 arranged in two rows 372 and 374. One of the groups 370is shown in greater detail in FIG. 13 of the drawings.

To facilitate close packing of the nozzle assemblies 400 in the rows 372and 374, the nozzle assemblies 400 in the row 374 are offset orstaggered with respect to the nozzle assemblies 400 in the row 372.Also, the nozzle assemblies 400 in the row 372 are spaced apartsufficiently far from each other to enable the lever arms 426 of thenozzle assemblies 400 in the row 374 to pass between adjacent nozzles422 of the assemblies 400 in the row 372. It is to be noted that eachnozzle assembly 400 is substantially dumbbell shaped so that the nozzles422 in the row 372 nest between the nozzles 422 and the actuators 428 ofadjacent nozzle assemblies 400 in the row 374.

Further, to facilitate close packing of the nozzles 422 in the rows 372and 374, each nozzle 422 is substantially hexagonally shaped.

The substrate 416 has bond pads 376 arranged thereon which provide theelectrical connections, via the pads 456, to the actuators 428 of thenozzle assemblies 400. These electrical connections are formed via theCMOS layer (not shown).

A nozzle guard 380 is mounted on the substrate 416 of the printhead 300.The nozzle guard 380 includes a body member 382 having a plurality ofpassages 384 defined therethrough. The passages 384 are in register withthe nozzle openings 424 of the nozzle assemblies 400 of the printhead300 such that, when ink is ejected from any one of the nozzle openings424, the ink passes through the associated passage 384 before strikingthe print media.

The body member 382 is mounted in spaced relationship relative to thenozzle assemblies 400 by limbs or struts 386. One of the struts 836 hasair inlet openings 388 defined therein.

When the printhead 300 is in operation, air is charged through the inletopenings 388 to be forced through the passages 384 together with inktravelling through the passages 384. The purpose of the air is tomaintain the passages 384 clear of foreign particles. A danger existsthat these foreign particles, such as dust particles, could fall ontothe nozzle assemblies 400 adversely affecting their operation. With theprovision of the air inlet openings 388 in the nozzle guard 380 thisproblem is, to a large extent, obviated.

In another embodiment of the invention, the printer 100 is built intoand forms part of an in-car entertainment unit 500, as shown in FIG. 16of the drawings.

The ICE unit 500, in addition to a CD player 502 and a radio havingcontrols 504, includes a full color LCD 506. The unit 500 functions as asatellite navigation unit and may also be used for receiving televisionsignals. The unit 500 incorporates a printer 100 of the type describedabove. The unit 500 includes a bank of control buttons 508. This bank ofbuttons 508 constitutes GPS controls and is used for satellitenavigation purposes. In addition, the unit includes a slot 510 in whichthe camera 12 is received to enable images which have previously beencaptured and which are stored in the camera 12 to be downloaded andprinted via the printer 100. The ICE 500 includes a further bank ofbuttons 512 for controlling the printer 100 and the content printed bythe printer 100.

In use, the user, upon returning to the motor vehicle with the camera 12which has captured various images connects the camera 12 to theremainder of the system 10 via the receiving slot 510 for the camera 12in the ICE 500 or via some other suitable connection, for example, byUSB cable, by removing the storage device of the camera 12 and insertingit into the system 10, by wireless connection, or the like.

The images captured by the camera 12 are transferred to the layoutengine 28. The layout engine 28 may also receive a layout determined bythe camera 12 during this process. For this purpose, the camera 12 mayhave built in features for selecting a layout style for each photographor for grouping a set of photographs on a page of output. The layoutengine 28 performs layout of the data elements according to the layoutinformation and generates a description of one or more pages in asuitable page description language such as postscript or PDF which isoutput on the data line 32 to the rasterization module 34 of theprocessing means 14. The rasterization module 34, in turn, communicatesdata along line 36 to the page compression module 38 of the processingmeans 14.

The rasterization module 34 and the page compression module 38 formatthe data into a suitable format to be printed by the printer 100.Formatted data is, accordingly, output from the page compression module38 on data line 40 to the printer controller 42 of the printing unit 16.The printer controller 42 controls operation of the printer 100, asdescribed above and the printer generates hard copies of the imagescaptured by then camera 12.

Where provided, the wireless communications sub-system 50 can be usedfor downloading images captured by the camera 12 to a remote storagedatabase. This remote storage database may have facilities for, forexample, automatically publishing the set of photographs on a website.Instead, the remote storage database may simply act as a repository fromwhich the set of photographs may later be retrieved and viewed orotherwise used as desired by the user.

Accordingly, it is an advantage of the invention that an in-vehicleimage processing system is provided which effectively acts as a mobileimage processing laboratory and facilitates the almost instantaneousproduction of photographs. Consequently, a user need not await return toa suitable place to have the images processed into hard copies.

It will be appreciated that a related advantage is that, if a poor imagehas been captured, this can be detected and rectified while the personis at the venue rather than, possibly, missing out on having an imagescaptured at all.

Another advantage of the invention is that an integrated system is builtinto the vehicle having a receptacle for the camera, being the slot, anda built-in printer 100.

1. A printing system for installation in a vehicle for providinghard-copies from a digital camera, said printing system having awireless communications subsystem for receiving wireless imageinformation from a camera, and a layout engine with rasterization andpage compression modules linked to a printer controller for controllinga printer comprising: a chassis with a top cover defining an accessopening for receiving a print media cartridge, said opening closed offby a spring-biased flap; a printhead housed in the chassis; and aprinted circuit board (PCB) mounted in the chassis with controlcircuitry linking the controller to the printer controller to controlthe printhead.
 2. The printing system of claim 1, having a pair of drivemotors mounted on a sidewall of the chassis, a first drive motor fordriving a first gear train mounted on a side molding of the chassis. 3.The printing system of claim 2, wherein a second drive motor drives adrive roller via a second gear train.
 4. The printing system of claim 1,wherein the printhead is configured to receive ink from ink hoses whichcommunicate with an ink supply reservoir of the cartridge via an inksupply manifold.
 5. The printing system of claim 2, wherein the drivemotors are stepper motors.
 6. The printing system of claim 1, having atape automated bond (TAB) film interposed between the PCB and theprinthead via which the PCB communicates with the printhead.
 7. Theprinting system of claim 1, wherein the printhead is a four colorprinthead for printing photo quality prints on print media stored in thecartridge.